In my previous blog about the 3 new recruits of the season, I had signed off saying there was much action that we could expect considering a street circuit. But, it was just disappointment at its best with Valencia’s results.

Renault’s Romain Grosjean who replaced Piquet Jr. began with a damaged nose on the opening lap that called for an unscheduled stop. With a start like that, there definitely was pressure on the driver who ultimately ended on a half spin holding on to the 15th position. So is Renault regretting its decision? And is Alonso really getting that added attention after all?

Valencia’s street circuit proved costly for Toro Rosso’s Jaime Alguersuari as well. Alguersuari spun in Turn 12 on Lap 43 and never made it back on the track. Having put on a much better show at Hungary, this replacement for Sebastien Bourdais spelt disappointment as he clinched the 16th position.

The much talked about replacement, Luca Badoer was also probably the biggest disappointment on the streets of Valencia. Adding to his list of dubious records, has got to be that of the worst performance by a mid season recruit! Right from letting fellow recruit Romain Grosjean overtake him to getting a drive-through penalty, Badoer seems to have gone all out in doing everything wrong in his much debated return to Formula 1. With everything that went wrong, team Ferrari with Luca Badoer came in 17th!

Valencia’s street circuit brought out the worst in the recruits for Renault, Toro Rosso and Ferrari with each claiming the 15th, 16th and 17th positions respectively.

With such terrible performances on a street circuit like Valencia, I cannot help but imagine in utter sadistic amusement the turnout at a circuit like Singapore. Can you imagine . . . a night race, a street race and the worst mid season recruits ever!

Jenson Button has proved that having the best car is the ticket to success. How much does the driver really matter?

Well if the driver doesn’t matter then why are World Champions paid so much? Why are they coveted and sought after? Get a decent driver and a fast car and that should do right? The race stats this year seems to tilt the argument in the favour of the constructor!

Hamilton said that the KERS power boost system helped beat Raikkonen and Webber at Hungary. He admitted that with KERS “anything can happen”.

Ferrari and McLaren have been constantly pursuing KERS and Costa, Ferrari’s technical director admits that it has helped improve lap timings. Ferrari’s improved performance at Monaco’s street circuit definitely brings their hopes with Valencia around the corner as well as the much talked about night race at Singapore.

Singapore has much to offer this season. Not only is it the thrill of the circuit, Alonso’s win last year and its many mishaps has a lot of ardent fans, me included looking forward to what it could bring this year.

Will KERS change the course of fate? Will the streets expanded circuits, enhanced for over-taking bring about an optimum use of KERS. I guess we will only have to wait with bated breath!